Wednesday, October 31, 2007

I do like to take pictures.  The digital camera is great because you can take as many picture as you like and them just load them on the comuter and erase those you don't like.   If you want to get prints it is easy too.  

Last day for meetings tomorrow.  The last one over at 1:30.  Then I will be on the road again.   Will stop over in Winchester and leave Friday when the sun is up.  I  am looking forward to getting home.  I really hate driving in the dark.  I can't see well, so I suppose that is the problem.   I like to see what is going on all around and at night I can just see what the car lights illuminate.

Had dinner at my brothers, nothing really new with them either.  Guess that is good.   I like my life to be uneventful most of the time.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

meeting

This was taken in Winchester VA at the Virginia Farm Market.   I want to know if the first aid is for people or the apples.

Spent many hours at educational meetings.  Why does the last session seem so long? I like the four day meetings because you can get 20 points in one meeting, but it does seem long.................

Nothing new here, going to my brothers tomorrow for dinner. Guess I will start at the grocery store and buy a wine.   PA has a monopoly on wine and liquor sales.   I think the legislature thinks we will all become lushes if we buy it in the grocery stores.   GOOD GRIEF  even in the Bible Belt they sell wine in the groceries.  I suppose too many of the people in government has relatives that are in the State Store Business.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Meeting

Here is a Williamsburg cat.   I wonder if she is a descendant from the colonial times.???

So far the meeting is good.   What I like about it is that there are 20 points.   That is five points per day.   These weekend meetings are good if you didn't have to go far.  I would rather go to one meeting and get it over with.

Going out to dinner with my brother and his wife.  They live down here in the Tidewater area.. 

 

 

Monday

"Our consciences are littered like an old attic with the junk of sheer conviction."
Wilford O. Cross


I guess that just depends on whose attic it is. 

Up bright and early.   I wonder that after I retire will I be able to sleep in.   For me a fantasy vacation is a week of sleeping in till 9 am.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Pondering

When I checked into my room I found a Sleep Soundly CD, a face mask and ear plugs.  Well lo and behold, I found out why.   What did I hear.............................A train that sounds like it is going by in the parking lot.   Thank goodness it doesn't blow its whistle...

Even though it is the end of October,guess who is going to have to sleep with the A/C on to diminish the sound.  Good thing I like the room cold.

Took some pictures on the way down.  Not really a lot, just some I took at the Virginia Farm Market in  Winchester VA.  You will have to search for the pictures yourselves I am tired and going to bed.   Only after I turn on the "white noise"  in the form of an airconditioner.

Virginia Farm Market: Virginia Is For Lovers

Trek to VA

Today I got up early and drove south.  The entire strip was uneventful   The weather was good and traffic light.   Well, lighter than it is summer.   Took the route thru the VA countryside.   I really hate driving around DC.  To busy and to many nuts, and too many people with diplomatic immunity if they hit you they are off the hook.

The leaf color all the way down wasn't very colorful.  In PA they re falling off the trees and in VA they are a lot still green  with a little yellow.   This has been about four years in my observation of lousy color.   Is it the lack or rain, the hot year or a combination of both.   Tonight in PA we are suppose to get a freeze.   Guess they will put on the furnace....., if they are cold enough they will.

REally tired and hungry and the dinning room opens at five.

 

Saturday, October 27, 2007

LONG AGO TIMES

This is a picture taken circa 1959.  We were all lined up sitting on this log.  The photo was taken in Cooks Forest State Park in the Allegheny National Forest area in northwestern PA.

 

Cook Forest Online - Info on Cook Forest State Park, Pennsylvania - Lodging, Activities, Business Directory

 

Saturday

"Life is an adventure in forgiveness."
Norman Cousins

Is is also a adventure in getting even!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Payback is HELL

Friday, October 26, 2007

Friday

This group of people are my sibs and I.  I am wearing the red sweater.  This picture was taken when we were all cleaning, refurbishing and getting my dads house ready for sale.  February of 2005, I think.    My sister in law took the picture.  There is another that is very similar that was taken about 1968 or so.   I will have to scan it and post it.   In that picture we were all sitting in the same spots..  Long ago  Chuck took the picture. 

I had forgotten all about the original until he was cleaning out his parents house and in a random box emerged the photo.  The original I had enlarged and gave it to my dad and the sibs for one Christmas.  They were all surprised and happy with the gifts./

The foot is still healing.  I have taken half of the antibiotics, 5 down 5 more to go.  I have to go to the mall today and find a pair of brown shoes with no backs,  At this point the back of the shoes will rub on the side of my foot and causes an irritation.  

 

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Thursday

This is sort of an autumny shot.   It has turned chilly or should I  say seasonal.  I decided I really hate driving in city traffic.   Only a few days till I leave for my meeting.   I think it will be warm there.  I check the weather or Wiliamsburg VA and it is 88.   While here in PA it is 57.     I really don't know what to pack.

This picture was taken in State College PA. The   home of Penn State University.  That town  is geographically in the middle of  PA.  

 

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

It seems that if the pictues are uploaded from your files there is no control over their size, but if the pictures are on the AOL site you can choose the size.

I have been off for almost 2 weeks.  I don't think I will be bored cutting down my days.  I am not bored yet and I still have not resorted to cleaning the house.  Of course I haven't gone out much, will a sore foot I would be limping and potentially falling down.  Really don't want to do that.

Wednesday

This is another shot from Acadia.  The foot is finally looking better.  It is amazing what antibiotics will do.  Two days and the redness and swelling is gone and the wound is starting to heal.. 

Just a few more days until I go to the meeting.   Just have to figure out what to take, it will be chilly here but what will it be in VA.  I will just have to watch the weather channel.  Sweaters and cords sound OK.   I will take the camera and hopefully have some new pictures to post.   

The weather is damp and gloomy.  I had the windows open but decided it would be more comfortable with them closed.    After watching the fires in CA I will not ever complain about the rain.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

computer has returned

This is a picture taken in DC.  It is the Woman Vietnam Memorial.   I thought it was good the emotion in their faces.   I took photos  of all the people in the grouping. 

The computer is back home.    It was all a serious software degradation.   Which means I screwed it up royally.    So now it is great.   All my downloads are the latest.

The problem with Chuck's laptop is that (somehow) when I am typing it jumps into the body of whatever it is and then it is hard to get it in order.   I type the same and it doesn't do that in this one.  Another thing it does is when you just roll the mouse over an icon, it goes to that place without any clicking involved.   I don't see any great advantage to Vista.   Sorry Bill Gates and Microsoft.

 

 

Monday, October 22, 2007

Monday

Now. I just tried to add a photo and it would not let me.    grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr  Had to go to the doctor because I thought I had an infection in my surgical wound.  The wound had came apart.  It had a slight infection.   On antibiotics.   He removed the stitches.   The first was easy but the second was in an area that was swollen, so he had to dig for the knot to cut it.    Pleasure is the absence of pain.  

Thought

"Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative."
Maurice Chevalier

Saturday, October 20, 2007

bodies

This picture is of the Bass Head Light in Acadia National Park in Maine.  Taken long ago.  I want to go back to New England some Autumn.

Went with my lady friends to see the body exhibit.   The Carnegie Science Center is located next  to Heinz Field.   University of Pittsburgh was having a foot ball game.  When we entered the lot the attendant asked why we were there???  To see the Body exhibit.....parking......?   $3.   If you were for game day the parking was $25.   Isn't that the wildest thing.   I wonder if they had someone watch to see if we went in the Science Center.   

This was an exciting show.  What I liked the most were the nerves, arteries & veins, and the outline of the pulmonary tree.  These are things I routinely do not get to see.  We spent an hour and a half in there.    

Next we went to Max's Allegheny Tavern.   This is the best German Restaurant in the county......The ladies wan to go back, we stuffed ourselves........till we were on the verge of explosion.  I had Weiner Schnitzel, Potato Pancakes, and Red Cabbage with Apple Strudle for dessert......

Friday, October 19, 2007

Birthday

This is the second time I have started this entry.  I went to click on a link to post in here and the original writing, ranting and commentaries on my birthday have disappeared.  

I want to say "thank you" to all of my friends and people who read my journal who have wished me a "Happy Birthday"

AOL THAT DESIGN SUCKS............IT SHOULDN'T DISAPPEAR TILL I MAKE IT DISAPPEAR.   NOW I HAVE TO GO THRU ALL OF THIS AGAIN AND I AM ANGRY.

Today is my sister's and my birthday.   We are not twins.   I feel the same as I did long ago.   My mother had a neighbor who said she felt the same in her 90's that she did when she was younger.   She said she looks in the mirror and "Wonder who that old lady is?"

People's attitude and demeanor remain the same through out life.  People who were miserable when they are old were the same when they were young.  I am not miserable but sometimes the others can be trying. 

It has been one week since my foot surgery.  The  incision hurts and I went walking at the Mall and now the muscles in my leg hurt.   I think I strained them when I was limping along.  I was pulling on things that I usually do not pull in that direction.   The pain only hurts when I walk, not when I sit down.  I have eliminated thrombi as a possible cause.

Today my daughter and I will go to Atrias.  They will send you a gift certificate for a meal on your birthday.  

ATRIA'S RESTAURANT AND TAVERN - Good To Be Here

Tomorrow I am going with my lady friends to see:

bodies_website

and then to eat at :

Welcome to Max's Allegheny Tavern - A Fine German Restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA

We will have a good time.  That's all for now folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

What worlds

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, the pessimist fears this is true."
James Branch Cabell

What are these alleged "worlds"  I only live in one.   Maybe the schizophrenics and psychotics live in ones other these real ones. 

Thursday

Felt in sort of a flowery mood today.  Tomorrow is my birthday.  I had told my friend   the autumn leaf colors were at its peak for my birthday.  Well, Marie, this year it didn't happen.   Most  of the trees are still green and brown.   I don't know if this has to do with the hot weather or lack of rain or combination on both.   The past few years the colors have been sub-par to say the least.   I always look forwrd the change of seasons and the vibrant color.   My hopes have been dashed again.

I  usually go out to lunch and then buy something for myself for my birthday.  I am off and so is my daughter.  I also got a free lunch from Atrias, maybe we can go there.  Don't know what I will buy.

I am going to VA the last week in October for an Anesthesia meeting.  I hoped the weather would be cool, but who knows what it will be.   I really think this year will go down as the hottest on record.

 

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Tuesday

This is a street in the shopping district of Manteo NC.  We went there, and stopped for lunch at a German restaurant.  We had beer and wine with our lunch and then were too tired to walk around.  It was also about 95F so that was way to hot.

The bandage on my foot is coming off tomorrow.  It is bulky and driving me crazy.  I can feel the stitch pulling and it hurts when  the shoe rubs on it.   I can't wait till 08:30 tomorrow.   Then I will be foot loose and fancy free.   I really don't know about the fancy free but the foot will be loose.

Today the daughter and I are going to a  Nursing School Open House.   She says that she could do that.......  She could see herself as a nurse practioner.  I could see her as and educator in a college.  Who know how it will go.

Tuesday

This is a picture of a bridge in Celle, Germany.   The town that my grandmother came from.     I looked again at some post cards that she had written in 1966.   In one she mentions visiting her brother.   I knew about her sister Johanna and her brother August who emigrated to the USA.   But I was surprised about the mention of another brother.  She also mentions visiting her sister in law and one of the post cards is signed by "Lily"  I guess it is the lament of everyone who is seeking their departed ancestors.  Why didn't ask this information when they were alive.    I suppose it wasn't important then but it is now that the source of the information is gone. 

Do you suppose having a seance (sp???) at the grave site would be of any help???

Monday, October 15, 2007

Monday

We drove to Johnstown for my daughters concert on Saturday.   I really didn't like the cello piece.   It was sort of obscure.   The Symphonie Fantastique  was good.   It was an 'opium fog"  I guess 30 years ago it would have been a LSD trip.   I don't know what it would be considered today.  

I am sitting with my foot propped up.  What hurts is the dressing.  I will be glad when it is off.  It isn't hurting per se, but I can feel the stitches pull and pinch.    There is something to be said about the subcuticler closing.   I had asked about the super glue but he said no, the tension on the incision would pop it open.

Where did the purple type go???  This is the middle of October.  By now, the leaves shuld be vibrant.  But they are all green and a lot of trees with their leaves blown off.  This is not going to be a good leaf year.   The past few years have not been very good in the atumnal splendor department.   I have to drive down to Williamsburg VA for a meeting in two weeks.  I was looking forward to the colorful drive but I don't think it will very pretty. 

 

Friday, October 12, 2007

Today was fix the  foot day.  Had to get up at 4:30 to be at the hospital at 5:30. The trip was uneventful.   The operation was non eventful.   Got my Versed while going down the hall and don't remember anything after the opening of the door to Room 5.   Woke up as I was moving myself to the cart to go to Recovery.  No pain, and lots of amnesia.

Lots of people fear anesthesia because they have no control.  I just want to relax and let my colleagues do their job for which they are trained.  Someone asked me was I afraid and my answer was that with a minor surgery it was no.  I would be worried if it were major.  But I told the person I would be REALLY worried if I didn't know what sort of a procedure my surgeon would do.   There are so many out there I wouldn't have operate on my dead cat. 

   I ALSO TOLD THIS PERSON THAT IF YOU NEED SURGERY FIND SOME ONE WHO WORKS IN AN OR AND ASK THEM WHO THEY WOULD HAVE OPERATE ON THEM.. 

  Excellent advice loud and clear.    That would be one of the secrets of surgery.  Don't ask me for a second opinion when you have scheduled your procedure.   

This advice is a precious pearl of wisdom for all of you out there in cyberland.

Friday

"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it."
Pearl Buck

I do enjoy my work and strive for excellence, but it is the company politics and associated bull crap that I do not enjoy.

"The difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.'    

Gerald Burril

This statement has a lot of truck but I think I am just in a rut.


 

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language."
Martin Buber

 

And they are saying leave me rest human!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Having ones photos stored on AOL sure makes it easier to add photos.  I gave up on self fixing of my computer.   I took it to the computer guy.   He will look at it and determine if it is worth salvation.     I told him I do not play games and used it for mainly for reading email and research.  On my own of course.

I have my document, photos and music backed up on my external hard drive....Now, how many people can say that.   Especially that directory (forgot his name) who had 15 years of things stolen.......What was HE thinking.........I just have my little piddly crap backed up.....

Still searching for the ancestors.   At lease I made some procress I know where my grandfather and grandmother were from (Quickborn and Celle); and my grandmothers parents, (Celle and Jena)  Now I hav to take it somewhere from there......but where do I go....      The Dowd and O'Rourkes really have me mystified.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Saturday

Got a call from my bank that they thought there was fradulent charges on my ATM card.    Boy oh boy was there.    Thousands of dollars.   One was United Airlines with a trip to Singpore.   The bank woman wanted to know if I was going there or was my husband ????  I told her that I  didn't even have current passports......Charges at Radio Shack and a few other places.....    How did they get our numbers; both of which are different.  We do not use them for anything but the ATM machine.    I personally think that the  banks security has been breached.     I also put a fraud alert on my credit history.     I tried to put it on my husbands account but that didn't go through.

I am having a problem with trying to deal with a person.  You can talk to Equifax  only 8 to 1 Monday thru Friday.    I really hate trying to get to talk to a human with all these freaking companies.

gethuman 500 database  Here is the link but it isn't helping me...

Saturday

Got a call from my bank that they thought there was fradulent charges on my ATM card.    Boy oh boy was there.    Thousands of dollars.   One was United Airlines with a trip to Singpore.   The bank woman wanted to know if I was going there or was my husband ????  I told her that I  didn't even have current passports......Charges at Radio Shack and a few other places.....    How did they get our numbers; both of which are different.  We do not use them for anything but the ATM machine.    I personally think that the  banks security has been breached.     I also put a fraud alert on my credit history.     I tried to put it on my husbands account but that didn't go through.

I am having a problem with trying to deal with a person.  You can talk to Equifax  only 8 to 1 Monday thru Friday.    I really hate trying to get to talk to a human with all these freaking companies.

gethuman 500 database  Here is the link but it isn't helping me...

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Thursday

Here is the pdated version of the sibs.

 

Thursday

Word of the Day: Languor (noun)
Pronunciation:  ['læng-gr]

Definition: Weakness, a sense of lassitude or inertia; mild depression, listlessness.

Usage: Today's word belongs to an odd family of individualists with an odd array of suffixes. The major adjective associated with it is languid "lacking spirit or motion," as a languid breeze whose movement is barely distinguishable. The verb is languish "to grow weak, lose vitality," as you might languish without attention your actions. "Languorous" is also out there with a meaning close to that of "languid" but implying a bit more melancholy.

This is how I feel sometimes.........The hot weather makes me feel worse; and I am tired of hot weather.   I had to put the A/C on and this is the first time I have had it on in PA.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

tuesday

Today we went to see the gems and minerals at the Carnegie.   It was a nice show, you got to see what they looked like before they were cut.....The thing I didn't like was some guy was standing infront of the Birth stones giving a lecture.   And hogging up the space.   If you want to lecture go to a class room.  People who paid to see the show deserve an equal opportunity without some other standing in the way.This one is slightly askew, not as bad as the rest.